Preparation and hydrolysis of esters



Patented Feb. 24-, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PREPARATION AND HYDROLYSIS F ESTERS Paul W.; Morgan; Kenmore, N. 3%,, assignoiito E.

du Pont de N emoiirs & Company, Wilmington, DeL, a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Applicationjuly '7 1945;, Serial No. 37,492

14 Claims. (Cl; te ns) This invention relates to the use of trifiuoroacetic acid as a catalyst in the preparation of esters from monomeric or polymeric alcohols and especially to its catalytic activity in the preparation of cellulose acetate. It relates to the catalytic activity of trifiuoroacetic acid in esteri'fications and in hydrolyses.

In the esterification of cellulose, Zdanowich utilized what he described in U. S. 1,347,891 as nascent halogen acetic acids as catalysts and was thereby able to diminish greatly the amount of sulfuric acid normally used for that purpose. However, Barthelemy in U. S. 1,668,483 and Clarke and Malin in U. S. 1,800,860 suggest that this catalytic activity was actually due to residual halogen or other impurities in the halogen ated acetic acid used by Zdanowich. Clarke and Malm state that they have carefully proven that mono, di, and trichloroacetic acids and mono, di, andtribromoacetic acids do not have any useful catalytic effect when they are pure. Theanhydrides of these halogenated acetic acids have been used as impellers in the esterification of cellulose with other organic acids, i. e., they promote the formation in situ of the necessary anhydrides of the est-erifying acids. For example, they convert acetic'acid to acetic' anhydride and the latter actsas the esterifying agent. A standard esterification catalyst is" usedinconiunction with the impellerl In commercial practice, sulfuric acid is cornmonly used to catalyze the esterification of cellu lose. The product in this case contains combined sulfur which interferes with the heat stability of the product. The sulfur must be removed by an additional hydrolysis step or-by prolonged washing with hard water before the cellulose ester can be spun into useful products without degradation. Esterification and hydrolysis procedures involving improved, fast rates of reaction and avoidance'of cornbinedinorganic matter, such as combined sulfate, areneeaea in corn mercial operations, as, forexample, in'the preparation of cellulose esters.

It is an object of this invention to'accelerate the esterification reaction of monomeric polymeric alcohols, especially cellulo'sic materials. A further object istheprovision of an inherently heat-stable cellulose ester thereby elimihating the stabilization step. A still further object is the provision in a single step of a cellulose acetate solution that can be wet or dry spun di rectly without degradation. Another object is to provide a simple process which is rapid, easily controlled and fully esterifies cellulose material at temperatures which do not substantially impair the cellulose or the cellulose esters produced therefrom. An additional object is the provision of improved catalysis in the hydrolysis of esters. Other and additional objects will be apparent hereinafter. v

The objects of this invention are accomplished by catalyzing the esterification of cellulose and other alcoholic compounds with trifluoroacetic acid. The rapid esterification rate obtained is unusual and unexpected since experimentation has proved that other halogenated acetic acids and anhydrides are not catalysts for the preparation' of certainesters, such as cellulose esters. Hydrolysis ofesters, as, for example, primary cellulose" acetate, is readily and advantageously attained using trifluoroacetic acid as the catalyst.

The following examples, wherein parts are by weight unless otherwiseispecified are given for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limitative.

EXAMPLE I .Oi P 1 hy oarihrl el C c011- i nin Q-. 9. ..h d 9 th XH J groups P 51. 95 n tiia siti d i t qt after its r a tion solveii change from water to acetic acid (Lion' until tlfieil eezilig bbintof the acid cellulose was centrifuged to contain part ac d and then added to a mixture of 5' parts acetie acid, 41 parts acetic anhydride (A020), and 0.3 part trii'luo'roacetic acid in a reaction vessel equipped for stirring and for refluxing the liquid; The mixture was heated and i i'r 9? m mi esa L8 ihe endpf. w c time a clear, jiber free viscous solution was ob; tamed. A sample taken at this point was precipitated andwashed with water. This product, theprirnary acetate, contained 2.73 acetyl groups per glucose unit (G. U.), was soluble in 98% acetone or chloroform-methanol azeotr'ope, and formed clear, toughstable films from solutions in these solvents. Hydrolysis was accomplished, using the trifiuoroacetic acid initially present as a hydrolysis catalyst, by adding ten parts of 50% aqueous acetic acid to the reaction mixture and isteners? stir in a fi f for 3. h ur At this time the solution was diluted further, precipitated in soft water, washed, and dried. The product, the-secondary acetate, contained 2.39 acetyl groups per glucose unit. Clear, tough, heatstable films were readily prepared from a solution of this-product in 98% aqueous acetone. Neither the primary not secondary acetate contained'any fluorine: Thetrifiuoroacetic' acid did not combine with thepolyinerI The temperature used in hydrolysis may be lowered by using a mixture of trifiuoroacetic and sulfuric acid as the catalyst. A small amount (1 to of sulfuric acid can be added to the system and the temperature necessary to carry out the hydrolysis can be lowered to 50 C. or below. The sulfuric acid does not combine with the esterified cellulose to any appreciable extent. This is advantageous since the usual stabilization 4 EXAMPLE IV The hydroxyethylcellulose described in Example I was dried by exchange to propionic acid and then esterified by reaction with a total of 5 parts propionic acid, 5 parts propionic anhydride and 0.2 part trifiuoroacetic acid. After the mixture was heated for forty-five minutes at 100 C., the hydroxyethylcellulose was highly swollen. The temperature was raised to 130 C. for 15 min. durstep is obviated with attendant economy in the mg which time the hydroxyethylcenulose process Upon tq g products 9 solved quickly to form a clear, viscous solution. very good. heal? stabmty are b The tr The solution was heated an additional 30 minutes fluoroacetic acid (B. P. '7 3 C.) may be recOVered at 100 C. before coagulation and washing with along Wlth the acetlc acld from the a l distilled water. Analysis of the product revealed or a large part may be collected by distillation that it contained 2372 propionyl groups per from the reaction mixture at the end of the estercose unit The product was Soluble in acetone as ification or hydrolysis step. The esterification were the hydroxyethylceuulose acetates mixtures can be cast or spun directly by a wet or dry method without degradation. 0 EXAMPLE V EXAMPLE II 0ne part of alkali activated cellulose was dried directly after its preparation by solvent exchange The catalytic activity of trifluoroacetic acid in fr m Water t acetic acid until t freezing point esterifications is indicated in Table I below by the of t d was 55 C The 11 1 was t comparison of this acid with other halogenated fuged t Contain 1 part i and t added t a acetic acids in the acetylation of hyd y fi mixture of 5 parts acetic acid, 4 parts acetic ancellulose: hydride, and 0.2 part trifluoroacetic acid in a re- Table I Amount (Parts) Tcmp., Time, Catalyst Acctyls/ HEC C. hrs. (0.3 part) G. U. 0.3 mol HE) 1 5.7 as 110 2 None 0.94 1 5.7 as no 2 ClCHzCOOH 0.88 l 5.7 as no 2 ClaCCOOH 1. 4c 1 5.7 as so 1.5 raccoon 2. 7.7

Wit e exception of temperature, t e COndiaction vessel equipped for stirring and for refluxtions of stirring, pretreatment of the cellulose ing the liquid. Homogeneity of the reaction mixsample, and the hydro y y se Sample ture was attained in one hour. The mixture was used were identical. In the first two cases, the heated and stirred for a total of 90 minutes at a hydroxyethylcellulose remained fibrous and very temperature of 110 C. at the end of which time little swollen. With trichloroacetic acid, some a sample was taken and precipitated and washed Swelling Occurred, b solution- W trifluwith water. The precipitated cellulose acetate oroacetic acid was used, a c ear. y py Solution contained 1.20 acetyl groups per glucose unit and formed quite rap d y- With this catalyst, was insoluble in acetone. At the end of three stantially complete esterification occurred at a hour a se ond sample w ithdr n frgm the lower temperature and in a time much shorter reaction mixture, and after precipitation and than necessary to form incomp t y esterified washing, the cellulose acetate contained 2.92 products with the other catalyS acetyl groups per glucose unit. This was insolu- EXAMPLE HI ble in acetone. At this point 15 parts of 7% I aqueou acetic acid was added to the acetylation Hydroxyethylcellulose contai g II101 mixture. The ensuing hydrolysis was allowed to dro y t yl group p glucose unit was exchanged s5 proceed for three hours at 80 0. The polymer from the Waller-Wet State to anhydrous acetlc now contained 2.61 acetyl groups per glucose unit acid as described in Example I. One part samand it was soluble in acetone. ples were acetylated for one hour at 100 C. using various amounts of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) as EXAMPLE VI the catalyst as follows Pure glycerin (5 parts) was mixed with 30 parts Table II acetic anhydride at 30 and 0.065 part trifiuoroacetic acid added. The temperature rose to 40"; Amount (Parts) the reaction mixture was stirred for 15 min. after Agcttyjls/ Remarks which time the liquids became miscible. The Total M20 Tm temperature continued to rise but was controlled HOAC I between 45 and 50 by external cooling. After a T O 26 Fgb total of min. the evolution of heat subsided 2:; i2 swollen mass and the acetic acid, acetic anhydride and triflu- 5,7 as 0.005 2. 5G Negr l y gie gr s lut 0 oroacetic acid were distilled from the mixture at m as 13 2'69 2 in 45 mm mm. Hg pressure. A nearly quantitative 5.7 as 0.27 2.70 Solutionin 3o yield of colorless glycerin triacetate remained.

A control mixture without the trifluoroacetic It may be seen from Table II that the speed of the reaction was proportional to the amount of trifiuoroacetic acid present.

acid evolved no heat and remained immiscible for 24 hrs. Heating this mixture to 50 did not bring about miscibility. The addition of a few parts blacetic acid inakes'the liquids miscible but rapid 'esterification dces not take place without a catalyst.

EXAMPLE VII Forty-four parts of n-amyl alcohol, 30 parts of glacial acetic acid and 3.75 parts trifiuoroacetic acid were heated at reflux for one hour and the mixture distilled through a distilling column. Twenty-nine parts (43% theoretical yield) of ester boiling at 145-148.? C. wasobtained. When the water was removed from the reaction mixture by azeotropic distillation with benzene added after 1 hour at reflux, 46 parts of amyl acetate was obtained (69.2% yield). tion,.ii acetic anhydride is usedin place of glacial acetic acid, the azeotropic distillation with benacne is not necessary and a nearly quantitative yield of amyl acetate is obtained.

The above examples have illustrated the application of trifluoroacetic acid in the catalyzation of the esterification of cellulose, hydroxyethyicellulose, glycerol and n-amyl alcohol with such acids or anhydrides as aceticand propionic. The invention is not limited to these alcohols and, in general, trifluoroacetic acid can be used to catalyze the esterification .of any alcohol. As

other polymeric alcohols which may be .esteriiied by the process of this invention may be mentioned polyvinyl alcohols, starch and hydrolyzed olefin/vinyl acetate polymers, .such as hydrolyzed ethylene/vinyl acetate polymers. Other mono- .rners which can be used include ethanol, methanol, the propyl, butyLamyl alcoholsor the like, and the higher alcohols, such as lauryl or cetyl alcohols. Aromatic alcohols are also useful in the esterification by the method of this inven' tion,as, for example, benzylialcoh'ol, phenylethyl alcohol and omega-phenylpropyl alcohol. The

alcohols may contain other groups, such as others, esters, unsaturation and similar groups.

Thus, ethylene glycol monoethyl ester,the monoethyl ether of diethylene glycol and propargyl alcohol be used. Polyhydric ialcohols other than glycerol may he esterified in accordance with this invention. For example, ethylene glycol, pentaerythritol and sucrose :may be converted to esters using trifluoroacetic acid as an 'esterification catalyst.

other acids may be used besides acetic .and

propionic or their anhydrides. In general, any acid may be used. Other aliphatic acids, such as 'butyric, cap-role, laurio, 'myristic, sebacic,

acrylic, crotonic, and oleic acids, amongothers, are useful. Aromatic acids may also be esterified using the catalytic process of'this invention-as, for example, benzoic, cinnamic, phthalic and terephtl'ialic acids. .Theanhydrides of these may also be used alone or in conjunction :with the acids. Further, the alcohols or the acids or anhydrides may contain other substituents, such :as halogen, nitro, sulfuric .or similar groups.

Mixed esters, such as.cellulose:acetate-propionate and cellulose acetate butyrate, may be prepared by the process of thisinvention. Still further, trifluoroacetic acid may beused to promote ester interchange as a means for'forming esters. For example, interchange between methyl benzoate and butanol maybe accomplished using 'trifluoroacetic acid as the catalyst. Thus, the'process of this invention may be used in the preparation of a'iarge number of polymeric and'monomeric esters.

Likewise, the ftrifiuoroacetic .acid :can' be fused as the catalyst in the hydrolysis of anywester,

In this esterificamonomeric or polymeric. ThOSE'JGStBIS specifically mentioned above, and. those prepared from the acids and alcohols enumerated may be hydrolyzed using the catalyst of this invention. In particular, it is advantageous to use trifluoroacetic acid in the esterification and hydrolysis of cellulose esters to avoid the introduction of combined sulfate which occurs "when sulfuric acid is used as the catalyst. The trifluoroacetic acid functions as an :esterification or as a hydrolysis catalyst either in heterogeneous or in homogeneous systems.

The catalyst of this invention is not limited to free .triiluoroacetic acid as the starting material. Any material giving trifluoroacetic acid under the conditions of hydrolysis or esterification can be used. Thus, readily hydrolyzed esters of triiiuoroacetic acid or salts of :the acid which liberate the acid under ithe conditions of esterification or hydrolysis. The sodium salt is an ex ample. In its useasmallamount of sulfuric acid or similar acid is usually added to liberate the trifiuoroacetic acid. Use of the sodium salt or similar salts is advantageous in that such salts are easier to :handle than 'trifiuoroacetic acid. addition to trifiuoroacetic .anhydride, mixed vanl'iydrides, such as acetic-trifiuoroacetic anhydride or trifluoroacetic-benzoic anhydride may be used in the processes of this invention. Usually the 'anhydride acts as an impeller and 'trifiuoroacetic acid is formed 'inthe reactionmixture.

This invention is not limited to the manner of pretreatment nor to thetype of cellulose used. LCOttOn linters, wood pulp, regenerated cellulose and the partially substituted cellulose derivatives such as methylcel'lulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxy- .ethyl'cellulose and the like may be employed. With the cellulose derivatives,pretreatment is not so important-sincesubstitution leads to solu- 'bility. In general, the higher the substitution the more soluble is the derivative in organic solvents and the faster isthe esterification.

Since this invention pertains to a catalytic process, any amount of the catalyst, trifiuoroacetic acid, will catalyze the reaction. 'In practice amounts of catalyst are-usually above 0.5% based on the alcohol. Of course, for a particular alcohol the amount may belower or higher than this, depending upon the nature of the alcohol, the temperature to be used, and similar factors. For cellulose, the amount of pretreatment and the degree of substitution are factors. The amount can be 5 or if soluble starting products are employed, lower amounts can'be used. Highly esterified products cannot be produced if airdry cellulose is used, even at high temperature. Generally, in the esterification of cellulose, the cellulose is submitted to a swelling action, such as the usual alkali activation of cellulose. Any of the well-known activation methods may be used. These include the use of organicand inorganic :acids and their neutral, acidic or basic salts. The method disclosed in the copending application of Thomas Serial No. 16,621 filed 'March23, 1948, now PatentNo. 2,585,516, issued February'12, 1952,'isparticularly'useml. In this method cellulose'is impregnatedwith amixture of an amide, such as urea, or a salt of a carboxylic acid with'ammoniaor an-amine having at least one amino hydrogen, such as ammonium acetate and a compound of an inorganicv oxygen acid of sulfur, such as sulfuric acid, its partial esters or amides, sulfurous acid, the thiosulfuric acid, tetrathioni'c acid,:persulfuric acid or a salt of any .of these with. a mmoniaizorcan amineihaving at least one amino hydrogen. There is no upper limit on the amount of trifluoroacetic acid. In fact, in certain instances the acid may be used in sufiiciently large quantities to act as the solvent medium. For practical purposes, in the interest of economy, usually no more than 30% amounts based on the cellulose is used. Since the acid is a catalyst, the speed of the reaction is proportional to the amount of catalyst present.

The temperatures employed may be varied over a large rang-e, as, for example, from room temperature to 250 C. At the higher temperatures the esterifications are usually accomplished in closed systems. For cellulose and its derivatives at 80150 C. from to 30% of trifluoroacetic acid can be used satisfactorily. The larger amounts, such as 30% or more, are preferred if the temperature is kept low, as, for example, 50 C. In general, with increasing solubility due to extensive substitution lower amounts of catalyst can be used. The preferred operating conditions for esterification of cellulose involve a temperature of 80'-150 C. and 15-30% of trifluoroacetic acid based on the cellulose. At temperatures appreciably lower than 80 0., as 50 C., the esterification of cellulose does not proceed very rapidly nor extensively. However, other materials, as, for example, the soluble cellulosic materials and, as shown in Example VI, glycerol can be effectively esterified at low temperatures, such as room temperature to 50 C. For reactive alcohols the temperature can be as low as 25 C. or lower. One skilled in the art will adjust the temperature to the particular acids and alcohols employed.

Trifluoroacetic acid is a genuine catalyst and not an impeller in the esterification of cellulose. An impeller in the esterification of cellulose has been defined by Clarke and Malm as a material which promotes the formation of the anhydride of the acid being used to modify the cellulose. Trifluoroacetic acid will not react with another organic acid to form the anhydride of the latter organic acid and, therefore, cannot be classed as an impeller. Generally, it is preferred, though not essential, to have an anhydride present in the reaction mixture in order to obtain a substantial amount of esterifioation. Trifluoroacetic anhydride reacts vigorously with other organic acids to produce the new acid anhydride and trifiuoroacetic acid. Therefore, one can prepare cellulose acetate as well as other esters by using a mixture of trifluoroacetic anhydride, acetic acid or other acid and an activated cellulose. In this case the trifiuoroacetic anhydride acts as an impeller as described by Clarke and Malm while the trifluoroacetic acid formed in this reaction acts as the catalyst for the esterification of the cellulose- This process differs from that previously described by Clarke and Malm in that no additional catalyst need be added to the system to obtain full esterification of the cellulose. As can be seen from these considerations, trifiuoroacetic anhydride may be used for any part or all of the trifiuoroacetic acid in the esterification of cellulose. As illustrated above, other catalysts can be used, if desired along with trifluoracetic acid but normally the trifiuoroacetic acid only is used.

The trifiuoroacetic acid catalyst may be readily recovered by distillation or extraction followed by distillation. For example, a reaction mixture, as in the last example of the table under Example III, was distilled after 40 min. at 100 C. and a distillate boiling at 70-118" C. was collected. A titration of this distillate indicated that it contained all of the catalyst. The distillate was then used in place of the trifluoroacetic acid and part of the acetic acid in another esterification, which proceeded nearly as well as the first. This procedure of recovery is satisfactory if one wishes to prepare only primary cellulose esters. The trifluoroacetic acid may be recovered in this way and sulfuric acid or other catalysts may be used for the hydrolysis step. The most satisfactory recovery method for trifluoroacetic acid is to extract it with a solvent, for example, ether, along with the acetic acid from the precipitation liquors. To illustrate, if 100 cc. of 1.5% aqueous solution of trifiuoroacetic acid is extracted with five 25 cc. portions of ether, 92% of the trifiuoroacetic acid can be recovered. After boiling off the ether, the trifiuoroacetic acid can be fractionally distilled or reused as a concentrate.

The outstanding advantages of the use of trifluoroacetic acid as a catalyst in the esterification and in the hydrolysis of cellulose or its derivatives is the heat stability of the products. Unlike sulfuric acid catalysis, there is no combination of triflucroacetic acid with the cellulosic material. No stabilization steps are required such as hydrolysis or prolonged washing. The product may be precipitated in hard or soft water and may be dried before all traces of acid have been removed without discoloration or degradation. For example, the primary esters prepared in the table in Example III were precipitated in distilled water, washed and dried at 100 C. after removal of most of the water at C. After 24 hours at C. no discoloration odor of acetic acid, or loss of solution viscosity was noticed. Such esters prepared by standard methods with sulfuric acid char and decompose in a few hours unless subjected to some additional stabilization treatment. Films of these esters prepared with trifiuoroacetic acid catalysts by the process of this invention can be also heated at 200 C. for 2 hours without discoloration or embrittlement. The esterification mixtures can be cast or spun directly by a dry or wet system without degradation. However, in such a procedure further esterification or hydrolysis may occur. The trifluoroacetic acid catalyst may be recovered along with the acetic acid from the wash water or a large part may be collected by distillation from the reaction mixture at the end of the esterification or hydrolysis step. While, it is, of course, possible to esterify the various alcohols disclosed herein with trifluoroacetic acid to form trifluoroacetates, if desired, this invention is concerned chiefly with the use of trifiuoroacetic acid as a catalyst and combination of the acid catalyst with the alcohols is avoided in the processes of this invention.

An impeller such as chloroacetic anhydride may be used in conjunction with the trifiuoroacetic acid catalyst when one is preparing the cellulose ester of an acid whose anhydride is difiicult to obtain. As it was previously pointed out, it is unnecessary to use a separate catalyst and an impeller in this event because trifluoroacetic anhydride can be used and will satisfy both requirements. Prior to this invention, it was found necessary to use a separate catalyst along with an impeller in these difilcult circumstances.

Any departure from the above description which conforms to the present invention is intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In esterifications for the production of organic esters from acids and alcohols the step which comprises carrying out said esterifications in the presence of trifiuoroacetic acid as a catalyst.

2. In esterifications for the production of polymeric organic esters from acids and alcohols the step which comprises carrying out said esterifications in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid as a catalyst.

3. A process in accordance with claim 2 in which the said polymeric esters are cellulose esters.

4. A process in accordance with claim 2 in which said polymeric esters are cellulose acetates.

5. In esterifications for the production of monomeric organic esters from acids and alcohols the step which comprises carrying out said esterifications in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid as a catalyst.

6. In esterifications for the production of organic esters from acids and alcohols the step which comprises carrying out said esterifications at a temperature of from 25 to 250 C. and in the presence of at least 0.5% of trifiuoroacetic acid as a catalyst.

'7. A process in accordance with claim 6 in which the said. esters are cellulose esters and the temperature is from 80 C. to 150 C. and the amount of trifiuoroacetic acid is from to 30%.

8. In the hydrolysis of organic esters to acid and alcohol constituents thereof the step which comprises carrying out said hydrolysis in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid as a catalyst.

9. A process in accordance with claim 8 Wherein said esters are cellulose esters.

10. A process in accordance with claim 8 wherein said esters are cellulose acetates.

11. A process in accordance with claim 2 in which the said esters are hydroxyethyl cellulose acetates.

12. A process for the production of hydroxyethyl cellulose acetate which comprises reacting hydroxyethyl cellulose with an acidic compound in the presence of at least 0.5% of a catalyst comprising trifluoroacetic acid at a temperature of from about C. to about C.

13. In esterfications for the production of polymeric organic esters from acids and alcohols the step which comprises carrying out said esterifications in the presence of a catalyst comprising trifiuoroacetic acid.

14. In the hydroylsis of primary cellulose acetates to secondary cellulose acetates the step which comprises carrying out the hydrolysis in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid as a catalyst.

PAUL W. MORGAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,347,801 Zdanowich July 27, 1920 1,800,860 Clarke et a1. Apr. 14, 1931 2,053,527 Malm et a1. Sept. 8, 1936 2,083,667 Reid June 15, 1937 2,136,030 Stone Nov. 8, 1938 2,436,144 Howk Feb. 17, 1948 OTHER REFERENCES Groggins: Unit Processes in Organic Synthesis, 1947, pages 624 to 626. 

13. IN ESTERIFICATIONS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF POLYMERIC ORGANIC ESTERS FROM ACIDS AND ALCOHOLS THE STEP WHICH COMPRISES CARRYING OUT SAID ESTERIFICATIONS IN THE PRESENCE OF A CATALYST COMPRISING TRIFLUOROACETIC ACID. 